The numerical solution of fractional differential equations: Speed versus accuracy

This paper discusses the development of efficient algorithms for a certain fractional differential equation.Manchester Centre for Computational Mathematic

Environmental Virtue, Callicott and the Land Ethic

Callicott’s interpretation of Leopold’s land ethic has been criticized as ecofascist and misanthropic. In addition, it has been argued that his principle precept upon which his land ethic rests is vague if not incoherent. In light of these challenges, I suggest a better way to arrive at a land ethic, which deals not with obligations or duties to the land as Callicott’s does but instead with the application of virtues to nature. In this paper, I provide a brief overview of Callicott’s land ethic and then include a few criticisms of the land ethic. Next, I argue for why a focus on the development of personal character using virtues makes a virtue ethic preferable to Callicott’s deontological approach in terms of its candidacy for an environmental ethic. Finally, I suggest four virtues—compassion, humility, wonder and prudence—that not only are vital in forming an environmental virtue ethic for the land, they are also able to help solve many problems associated with Callicott’s excessively holistic land ethic. For instance, the virtues of compassion and prudence are able to provide a moderately holistic land ethic that appropriately values the dynamic between the individual and the community. In addition, I argue that a land ethic built on virtues can correctly label the value of pain unlike Callicott’s version, which is inclined to overlook—and, at times, possibly endorse—pain

Linear fractional order differential equations and their solution

Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 provide background material. Chapter 5 describes new results on the behaviour of solutions to (0.0.0)

Computer simulations of Fréchet dendrimers in solutions

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-210).The structure and dynamics of dendrimers in solution are studied through nanosecond atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of explicitly solvated Fréchet dendrimers, generations G1 to G5. The properties of these dendrimers are investigated in four solvent invironments: vacuum and water (representatives of poor solvents), and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and chloroform (representatives of good solvents). To establish the quality of the solvent on the conformation of the dendrimer, additional nanosecond MD simulations fo the dendrimers are performed, from both inititally folded and unfolded conformations

Assessment of the United States National Security Space Management and Organization

This research analyzes the results of the Report of the Commission to Assess the United States National Security Space Management and Organization, dated January 11, 2001 in order to determine which recommendations were beneficial, which recommendations are still in effect and what additional measures should be undertaken to continue, and even advance, our standing as a premier space power. It analyzes the potential managerial and organizational shortcomings of National Security Space within the United States Government, specifically the Department of Defense. Additionally, this paper reviews the various management and organizational force restructuring which occurred as a result of the commission’s report and other recommendations / directives from the time period. Many dynamics have changed with regard to national security space in the thirteen years since the commission’s report was released. This paper will identify the significant effects of these decisions and which mitigating actions should now be undertaken to offset any unintended consequences and shortfalls. The study will show the importance of the national security space managerial and organizational structure in order to validate the essentiality, viability and efficacy of this program. A literature review of a number of peer-reviewed documents, government / military archives, interviews and related texts have been researched in an effort to fully vet this process. This paper provides a sound analysis to ascertain any managerial and organizational shortcomings to National Security Space and to recommend possible restructuring in order to streamline our processes

Falling in Acute Mental Health Settings for Older People : Who falls, where, when and why?

Copyright: © 2014 Dickinson A et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Falls, slips and trips are a major patient safety concern in hospital settings accounting for 26 per cent of all reported patient safety incidents in England. Mental health conditions and their treatments add further to fall risk but we have little information regarding who falls, where and when within mental health settings. Methods: This paper presents an overview of the pattern of falls by older patients within an in-patient mental health setting in the South of England using routine records completed by staff when a fall occurs. 920 fall reports over three years were analysed, and 7 focus groups were undertaken with ward staff to explore how staff understood falls and their experiences of using the falls reporting system. Results: In terms of diagnosis 40% of fallers had a primary functional diagnosis, 46% an organic mental health diagnosis (14% non-specific diagnosis), average age was 81.7 years (range 59 to 99 years; SD 8.3) and 57% were female. Approximately one quarter, 27%, of falls were observed by staff. Falls were not evenly distributed across either day of week or time of day, with peak times for falls on Tuesday and Saturday and morning (7-8 and 9-10am) and subsidiary peaks between noon and 1pm and early evening (5-6pm). Almost half of falls occurred in private spaces in the ward such as bedrooms, and 42% in public spaces such as sitting rooms. However 60% of falls in public spaces were unseen. Reporting in these settings was problematic for staff and patients were sometimes described as placing themselves on the floor as a consequence of their mental health condition. The average time to first fall was 5 weeks. Conclusions: Routine mapping of falls could be undertaken at ward and organization level and contribute to better understanding of the local factors contributing to falls. Exploring incident report data in focus groups with staff helped us and them to interpret the data and to understand some of the decision making staff engage in everyday when reporting falls.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio